China
has always been on America's horizon. From Columbus' quest to
find a direct route to China in 1492 to a mid-air spy plane
collision in 2001, these nations have been indirectly linked
for hundreds of years. And yet, the United States has interacted
seriously with China for only the last 150 of its 4,000-year
history. This ancient civilization was transformed by revolutionary
events into a world power. Our American government has negotiated,
threatened, coached, feared, and warily welcomed China into
the international fold. Future international events may well
set the agenda for either worldwide progress or worldwide turmoil
for generations to come. Is Communist China an ally or a threat?
The last 150 years of China's political evolution may hold some
clues.